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Chelsea slumped to an unexpected defeat at the hands of Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon. The result left their chances of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League hanging by a thread.
The defeat to Newcastle also means that Chelsea now have two league games left of the season, Manchester United this coming Friday, and then Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season.
Ideally, Chelsea will need to win both these games to secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Though the Blues find themselves in fifth place in the Premier League table, manager Enzo Maresca finds himself under pressure going into the last two league games of the season.
According to a report by TeamTalk, Maresca could be sacked if Chelsea fail to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
There are apparently some doubts about Maresca behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge, and whether Chelsea qualify for the Champions League and win the Conference League could be crucial in determining Maresca’s future.
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The report goes on to state that some members of the Chelsea board believe that Maresca’s football style – based on slow possession and building from the back – is not ideal for the pace and physical demands of the Premier League. They are worried about the team’s inconsistency and lack of identity.
While some members want to continue with Maresca as the manager of the team, not everyone is of the same opinion. Though no final decision has been made on the matter at the moment, it is believed that he is no longer considered untouchable by the decision makers at Stamford Bridge.
The next few weeks will be crucial for Maresca at Chelsea. The results and performances from Chelsea will determine whether Maresca will stay to lead the club’s long-term plan, or if a change is made sooner than expected. A final decision will be made at the season’s end.
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